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January 24, 2013

Indian lawyers shout slogans as they hold placards during a protest at the entrance to Saket District Court in New Delhi earlier this month.

The trial of five men accused in the fatal gang rape of a student is getting under way in New Delhi.

In the closed hearing at the fast-track court, prosecutors are expected to present charges of murder, rape, kidnapping, and other offenses.

The men face the death penalty if found guilty.

Defense lawyers have said the men would plead not guilty.

A sixth suspect is expected to be tried separately in a juvenile court.

The brutal December 16 attack against the woman on a bus prompted weeks of sometimes violent protests that put pressure on authorities to reform laws to deal more swiftly with crimes against women.

The crime triggered outrage across India and around the world and raised questions about how women are treated under India's justice system.